Overland Park to review how city controls speeding on residential streets

1 Monday, May 1

Overland Park to review how city controls speeding on residential streets

info2023-05-01T10:20:42-05:00May 1st, 2023|

It’s time to review Overland Park’s process for approving roundabouts, speed tables and other so-called “traffic calming” measures, an Overland Park city council committee has decided. The council’s Public Works Committee will take an in-depth look at the city’s 15-year-old set of rules on what requirements must be met, as well as whether some dedicated funding can be arranged. In particular, they’ll look at whether the current process is too restrictive and whether it should be easier for neighborhoods to get such measures okayed on their residential streets. Source: Prairie Village Post

1 Monday, May 1

Ark City library finished with fines

info2023-05-01T10:20:24-05:00May 1st, 2023|

Arkansas City Public Library has joined other public libraries no longer fining patrons for overdue books. “It’s a trend nationally,” said Mendy Pfannenstiel, Ark City’s library director. The fines have been found to be “not really effective” as a means of deterring people from turning in their books late, Pfannenstiel said. “What we want is for people to return the books.” Those people who can afford to pay the fines tend to do so; those who can’t afford them don’t. Fines range from 25 cents to $5 a day. Not paying the fines means patrons can’t use the materials, and “often [...]

1 Monday, May 1

Macksville City Library announces grand opening of new wing

info2023-05-01T10:19:52-05:00May 1st, 2023|

The Macksville City Library is hosting a grand opening celebration. “After 12 years of fundraising and nine months of construction, the new addition to our library is complete, and we are READy to Serve!” said Jody Suiter, library director. The public is invited to visit the library on Wednesday, May 3, for a “Come & Go & Check Out the Library” event from 1-6 p.m. “We are excited to share this milestone with our patrons, friends, benefactors and the community at large,” Suiter said. "Come see the new addition and learn about all the library has to offer with technology, resources, [...]

1 Monday, May 1

Century II update shows tough decisions could be ahead

info2023-05-01T09:39:43-05:00May 1st, 2023|

The company that took over managing Century II last year gave its first update to the Wichita City Council this week. And council members learned they face some future issues that could affect some popular, even beloved, groups and events. The City of Wichita turned over the management of Century II Performing Arts and Exhibition Center to ASM Global on Jan. 1, 2022. General Manager Chris Whitney said Century II is coming back from the lean pandemic years. "We're finally, I feel like, back to a good solid event calendar load," she said. "We're seeing that in the industry. We believe [...]

1 Monday, May 1

De Soto needs more people, not just Panasonic, to lure big-name retailers and grocers, CRE experts say

info2023-05-01T10:16:28-05:00May 1st, 2023|

De Soto already has a pretty good selling point — Panasonic's $4 billion, 4,000-job electric-vehicle battery plant — but before the city can lure the likes of Target or Walmart to town, it will need to ramp up its population. Almost 1,300 apartments already are planned or under construction, thanks to Prairie Village-based Flint Development, Lawrence-based Alcove Development and other smaller builders, which at least gets the ball rolling on meeting current and future housing demand from the plant, which targets being operational in 2025. But it could take three to five years before residents occupy those spaces and have sufficient [...]

1 Monday, May 1

New city policy says children can stay at North Lawrence campsite

info2023-05-01T10:11:46-05:00May 1st, 2023|

Children are now allowed to stay with their parents at the city-run campsite for people experiencing homelessness in North Lawrence, according to a new policy. To stay with their children, parents must read the “family contract,” and maintain contact with their children at all times, according to the policy, which went into effect last week. Previously, the city has not allowed anyone under 18 to stay at the campsite. The city announced Monday that it is putting in place new safety protocols at the campsite, emphasizing that there are no visitors allowed other than “community outreach partners” who have been approved [...]

1 Monday, May 1

Kansas Legislature approves K-12 education budget with private school benefits

info2023-05-01T09:24:33-05:00May 1st, 2023|

The Kansas Legislature passed a K-12 education package Friday that fully funds public schools but includes expansion of a tax credit for private school students and allows private school students to participate in public school sports and activities. House lawmakers approved Senate Bill 113, which provides funding for the next three years, by an 83-37 vote, despite criticism from House Democrats who felt the process hasn’t been transparent — especially with a new provision that allows the state first right of refusal over closed school buildings. The bill passed 23-16 in the Senate after lengthy debate. Source: The Lawrence Times

1 Monday, May 1

Legislature narrowly approves bill stripping authority from state, local public health officials

info2023-05-01T10:17:31-05:00May 1st, 2023|

The Kansas Legislature narrowly passed a bill forbidding state and county public health officials from issuing test, isolation and closure mandates to counter spread of infectious disease and blocking the state from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations of children in schools or daycare facilities. The measure was sent Friday to Gov. Laura Kelly on the final day of the 2023 legislative session despite bipartisan opposition. The bill also would require the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to conduct a study of overdose deaths in Kansas with an emphasis on the role of fentanyl poisoning. Proponents seeking to restraint authority [...]

1 Monday, May 1

Kansas lawmakers adopt property tax break for restaurant, child care and fitness club businesses

info2023-05-01T10:11:35-05:00May 1st, 2023|

The Kansas Legislature sent Gov. Laura Kelly a bill bundling elements from more than a dozen bills, including a property tax exemption for fitness, restaurant and child care businesses able to demonstrate they were in direct competition with operations of state or local government. The Senate approved the package Thursday on a vote of 26-13 despite bipartisan complaints Senate Bill 8 was decorated like a holiday tree with special-interest tax policy. The deal previously passed by the House 76-43 contained 18 distinct policy changes. It now goes to Gov. Laura Kelly, and could be added to the Democratic governor’s list of [...]

1 Monday, May 1

Olathe voters approve two citywide sales tax extensions

info2023-05-01T09:14:47-05:00May 1st, 2023|

Olathe voters have approved the renewal of two citywide sales taxes. With 20,589 ballots cast in Tuesday’s mail-in election, Olathe voters approved an extension of the city’s current 3/8-cent sales tax for street maintenance. Roughly 21% of the 96,802 registered voters in Olathe participated in the election. Unofficial results from the Johnson County Election Office show 16,367 people (roughly 80%) voted in favor of the street maintenance sales tax renewal, while 4,199 (20%) voted against it. Voters also approved a renewal of the city’s ⅛-cent sales tax for parks and recreation maintenance. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF